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Falih: Integration of Partners Achieved Waad City's Interim Objectives

Minister Falih with teams at the Waad al-Shamal City (Minister al-Falih official Twitter account)
Minister Falih with teams at the Waad al-Shamal City (Minister al-Falih official Twitter account)
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Falih: Integration of Partners Achieved Waad City's Interim Objectives

Minister Falih with teams at the Waad al-Shamal City (Minister al-Falih official Twitter account)
Minister Falih with teams at the Waad al-Shamal City (Minister al-Falih official Twitter account)

Achieving the goals of the construction phase of the development project of Waad al-Shamaal Industrial City would not have been possible without cooperation and integration between government and private institutions, according to Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih.

During his tour at the project in the northern area, Falih pointed out that to the achievements fulfilled in comparison to the challenges and difficulties facing the construction work and preparations.

He praised the great support of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the complementary work between ministries and their partners, as well as work of Maaden and its partners.

Accompanied by members of Maaden’s Board of Directors, Minister al-Falih started his visit by touring Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) during which the director general Khalid al-Salem presented the future infrastructure plans.

Falih and his accompanying delegation were also briefed about the area allocated for Saudi Aramco projects, which will serve as a service area and support center for non-traditional gas sector in the northern border region.

In related news, the minister inspected the housing project where more than 480 units were completed before the planned date. The construction of the residential city and the industrial facilities will continue gradually according to the strategic vision of the project.

Falih also visited the construction site of Karan Hotel Waad al-Shamal, which is considered one of the most important investment opportunities in the city, located in the center of the city.

In addition, the minister visited Maaden al-Shamal Phosphate Company which includes five plants with their facilities, three of which are primary at the project site. Maaden and its partners, SABIC and Mosaic, world's largest phosphate producers, invested around 30 billion riyals in the project.

The tour also included the new administrative building of Maaden al-Shamal Phosphate Company during which the company president and the team gave a technical presentation on the factories' potentials, work mechanisms, training and employment programs.

Also, Saudi Ports Authority completed the construction of three new docks within Ras al-Khair port in order to increase the exportation of Waad al-Shamal products. The first phosphate consignment had been shipped from the port.

Technical and Vocational Training Corporation is also constructing the National Training Institute in the city, while the electric company has completed the construction and operation of the main station and residential substation within the city.

Minister Falih and his accompanying delegation also visited the power plant project in the city, which is being set up by the Saudi Electricity Company which will supply the city with electricity of total capacity of 1390 megawatts, 50 of which are generated by solar power.

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Five Nations and EU Urge Trump Not to Impose New Airplane Tariffs 

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Los Angeles approaches for landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, US, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Los Angeles approaches for landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, US, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
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Five Nations and EU Urge Trump Not to Impose New Airplane Tariffs 

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Los Angeles approaches for landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, US, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Los Angeles approaches for landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, US, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)

Five nations and the European Union, as well as airlines and aerospace firms worldwide, urged the Trump administration not to impose new national security tariffs on imported commercial planes and parts, documents released on Tuesday showed.

Airlines and planemakers have been lobbying President Donald Trump to restore the tariff-free regime under the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement that has yielded an annual trade surplus of $75 billion for the US industry.

The documents made public by the US Commerce Department bared concerns over the fallout of possible new tariffs expressed by companies as well as nations such as Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland, besides the European Union.

"As reliable trading partners, the European Union and United States should strengthen their trade regarding aircraft and aircraft parts, rather than hinder it by imposing trade restrictions," the EU wrote.

It would consider its options "to ensure a level playing field," it added.

Trump has already imposed tariffs of 10% on nearly all airplane and parts imports.

"No country or region should attempt to support the development of its domestic aircraft manufacturing industry by suppressing foreign competitors," the Chinese government wrote.

Separately, US planemaker Boeing cited a recent trade deal unveiled in May with Britain that ensures tariff-free treatment for airplanes and parts.

"The United States should ensure duty-free treatment for commercial aircraft and their parts in any negotiated trade agreement, similar to its efforts with the United Kingdom," Boeing told the Commerce Department in a filing.

Mexico said in 2024 it exported $1.45 billion in aircraft parts, just a tenth of the total, to the United States. The EU said it took US exports of aircraft worth roughly $12 billion, while exporting about $8 billion of aircraft to the US.

In early May, the Commerce Department launched a "Section 232" national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines and parts that could form the basis for even higher tariffs on such imports.

Last week, Delta Air Lines and major trade groups warned of tariffs' impact on ticket prices, aviation safety and supply chains.

"Current US tariffs on aviation are putting domestic production of commercial aircraft at risk," Airbus Americas CEO Robin Hayes said in a filing.

"It is not realistic or sensible today to create a 100% domestic supply chain in any country."

Boeing said it had been increasing US content in its airplanes over the last decade and its newest airplanes, the 737 MAX 10 and 777X, would have "more than 88% domestically-sourced content."

The United Auto Workers union, which represents 10,000 aerospace workers, said it supports tariffs and domestic production quotas, adding that US aerospace employment has fallen to 510,000 in 2024 from 850,000 in 1990.

"To safeguard the entire aerospace supply chain across the commercial and defense sectors, comprehensive tariffs and production quotas on several products are needed," it said.

JetBlue Airways opposed new tariffs, however, saying, "Trade policy should reinforce, not destabilize, the proven systems that keep our aircraft flying safely and affordably."